Holmes County[1] is in Ohio. It is located the eastern part of Ohio about halfway between Cleveland and Columbus. The county seat is Millersburg. Holmes County primarily consists of steep hills and narrow valleys.

Cities

Other destinations

Understand

The Amish, known as "the gentle people', comprise nearly half of the county's population (total population estimated at 40,000+) making this region the largest Amish settlement in the world. The area also has many Mennonites, who are also a less conservative part of The Anabaptist Movement that moved here from Europe, at the invitation of William Penn . When travelling to and driving in this area, be alert for the horse-drawn Amish buggies, pedestrians on the roads, children walking and livestock crossing and being herded on the roads, all have the right of way on the roads. It is said that "if you hit an Amish Buggy, God will not forgive you".

Horse-Mule drawn impliments.

When you are visiting the towns and attractions in Holmes County, keep in mind that most of the people selling trinkets and wares as well as the shop owners are not Amish, although some are Mennonite. You may even find an Amish fellow selling trinkets out of his buggy that are made in China. Items such as cheese, smoked meats, quilts and oak wood furniture most likely are manufactured and finished locally. Quality and price widely vary. (Some quilts are made in China, if making a purchase that can run into the thousands of dollars, make sure you know what you are buying)

The items or places you find branded "Amish", most likely are not Amish. Amish do not use the word "Amish" as a marketing ploy, this is something invented by the "English" (as Amish refer to non-Amish). The Amish simply refer to what ever it is. There are few if any exceptions to this.

Photography: You should avoid taking photographs of Amish, Amish farms, Amish events, and especially Amish children. This is, of course against their religion. Even asking permission is treading on their religious culture and would be considered quite rude or even racist in nature. This is a different race of people with deep religious principals. Please be as considerate of their religion, as you would expect one to be of yours.

Sundays: Most business closed.

Talk

Being in the center of Ohio's Amish Country, the world's largest Amish settlement, much of the population is bi-lingual, speaking both English and German. Smaller children speak only German until starting school. The name "Pennsylvania Dutch" is actually a mispronunciation of "Deutsch" or German.

Get in

Nashville

Holmes County is accessible from: I-71, I-77, and US 30

State Route 83 running north and south from US Route 30 in Wooster, through Millersburg, to US Route 36 and 16 in Coshocton.

US Route 62 running east and west from I-77 in Canton, through Wilmot and Winesburg, on to Berlin and Millersburg, exiting the southwestern corner of the county toward Columbus.

Get around

Amish Buggies

Holmes County has the largest concentration of scenic byways in Ohio. Every major thoroughfare, state or US highway, is designated as a scenic byway, making it a great place to tour by car.

See

Unique to this area, is the Amish/Mennonite Benefit Auctions. These auctions provide funds for a variety of needs in the Community. Some are consignments, some are strictly donations. Most have food/meals, ice cream, pies, prepared by the locals and are quite reasonable and tasty. The auctions take place throughout the warmer months. They sell everything from quilts to furniture to farm machinery. Ads are in the local paper "The Budget". If you have never been to a Benefit Auction, it will be a real treat!!

Hot Item!

Rainbow of Hope Benefit Auction, In July of each year. Held at the Mt Hope Auction. Benefit Auction 330-674-5062, [2].

Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale, [3]. Held the first Saturday in August, Central Christian School, 3970 Kidron Road, proceeds go to the Mennonite Central Committee fund to assist with humanitarian efforts. Quilt sale is held in large tent. Featured on National Geographic.

Behalt "Sistine Chapel of the Amish and Mennonites" - Mennonite and Amish Heritage Center, 5798 County Road 77, Berlin, PH:(330) 893-3192, [email protected], [4]. For a stunning visual depiction of the history of the Amish and Mennonite people, visit the Heritage Center's cyclarama. Tours of the huge 360 degree mural (10' x 265') are narrated by Mennonite guides. The cyclarama cost $6.50 per person and is highly recommended. The center also provides a free 15 minute video about the area and its population.

Sleep

There are a variety of choices for sleep that range from larger hotels to small bed & breakfasts. For something a bit different you may want to look into the Bed & Breakfasts which are numerous, or even renting a small farm house for a night or two, which can be very pleasant. Do your homework online, there are a lot of choices.
If heading for a B&B, make sure you have good directions, the rural roads can be confusing. If lost, just ask an Amish fellow. He most likely will be very polite and set you right. Best to avoid the Amish women and children, they may not be as helpful, some may not speak English.

Buy

Due to the geographic location of Ohio, some of the finest hardwoods in the world grow there and to the North. The Amish/Mennonites have developed a large cottage industry around hard woods. Furniture stores are scattered throughout the county offering these products which are usually manufactured without electricity. Some of the more unique and finer items can be found at the numerous benefit auctions throughout the warmer months, that are held to support the Amish/Mennonite schools, rest homes and medical needs of the community.

The Budget is a local newspaper, printed in Sugarcreek, Tuscarawas County and sent to the world wide Amish/Mennonite community. It is printed in English and available by single copy or subscription. There you can find most of the local happenings and Auction advertisement. It is very helpful to new visitors and those wanting to understand the Amish/Mennonite community.

Amish Oak

Quilts. Know what you are buying. Ask a knowledgeable party about them. There is quite a difference in the value and stiching. There is an annual Mennonite Relief Quilt Sale held at Kidron each year, that has been featured on National Geographic. If you go, parking is remote with a hay wagon ride to the sale/auction tents. Dress conservatively, wear old shoes.

Cheese. Award winning cheese of numerous variety is available, most made locally.

Jams, jellies and vegetables abound.

Bakery items. You will find numerous bakeries around the county. Just part of the Amish/Mennonite tradition. Made with sugar rather than corn sweetener. Great treat. Bring a cooler.

Horses/livestock. Traders heaven for those interested in livestock and "exotic" animals. The auction barn at Mount Hope seems to be the center for this activity selling herds of cows, sheep, goats, chickens, eggs, bakery items and so on each month surrounded by a somewhat primitive flea market. There are numerous horse sales and "exotic" sales throughout the year.

Itineraries

Do

Shop till you drop. That is pretty much the goal of the majority of visitors to Holmes County.

In German it is pronounced:Ummmmmmm!

Visit the furniture stores. They feature locally produced hard wood products that vary in quality and price. Johns Woodworking in Berlin, Kyme Lumber in Charm, and the furniture store in Farmerstown, are well established. If in Charm, stop at the restaurant across from Kyme Lumber for some of the Counties best food.

If in Sugarcreek, visit the consignment store behind the grocery store, for local crafts. A bit hard to find, but worth the effort.

Stop at the bakeries, try a fry pie. Local treat!!!!

Drink

While there are a few bars in Holmes County as well as carry-outs, Holmes County is not a "party town" due to its very conservative population. If visiting farms or rural shops, keep in mind the water is not treated. The water in towns is quite safe.

Stay safe

State Route 39

Since the Amish/Mennonites are pacifists by nature, the threat from them is nonexistent. Your main threat is on the roads from sight seeing drivers not paying attention to the often slow or stopped traffic. Food purchased at the numerous road side bakeries, cheese plants or home made canned items like jellies or preserves should be considered quite safe. Water in the towns is treated and quite safe, but you may want to pass on well water at farms and some retailers, like rural furniture stores. If you buy farm eggs, they will likely be very fresh and tasty, but not candeled. When buying directly from the Amish, keep in mind they usually have little refrigeration and/or no electric. A few will have telephones, but they will be out of sight.

Animals:Keep in mind that this is not a petting zoo type situation. The animals may bite, kick or step on you, or especially your children. Never allow your child to walk up on a horse, buggy, or other farm animal. Animals in pens may be more accessible, but can pass on other disease like salmonella, or animal feces as well as biting. Animals by nature are not very clean, to say the least, and touching should be avoided.